Killer Who Lived Near County Line Road Granted Parole, DOC Reveals Where Rodolfo Trujillo Is Living Now

Trujillo was sentenced to 21 years in prison for second-degree murder and aggravated battery but will be released early due to time served.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Rodolfo Trujillo, a 19-year-old man who was convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated battery in 2015, has been granted parole and will be released from the Illinois Department of Corrections. Trujillo was originally sentenced to 21 years in prison but will be released early due to time served in the Will County Jail awaiting trial and for completing substance abuse and self-improvement programs.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about early parole for violent offenders and the challenges of the criminal justice system in balancing public safety with rehabilitation. Trujillo's release after serving less than half of his original sentence may raise questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the parole system.

The details

Trujillo was convicted of stabbing Rudy Valdez to death in Trujillo's yard in Joliet, Illinois in 2015. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated battery as part of a plea deal, with the first-degree murder charge dropped. Trujillo's defense argued he believed the circumstances justified the killing, even though his belief was unreasonable. Trujillo spent 10 years in the Will County Jail awaiting trial and sentencing.

  • Trujillo was booked into the Will County Jail on November 9, 2015.
  • Trujillo pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated battery in March 2025.
  • Trujillo was originally sentenced to 21 years in prison.
  • Trujillo's projected discharge date was originally June 26, 2026.
  • Trujillo was released from the Illinois River Correction Center on December 26.

The players

Rodolfo Trujillo

A 19-year-old man who was convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated battery for the 2015 stabbing death of Rudy Valdez.

Rudy Valdez

The victim who was fatally stabbed by Trujillo in 2015.

Chuck Bretz

Trujillo's final defense attorney who helped bring his Joliet murder case to a conclusion.

Vincent Cornelius

The Will County judge who sentenced Trujillo to 21 years in prison but gave him credit for time served in jail.

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What they’re saying

“We believe we were able to establish a self-defense component for Mr. Trujillo's actions on that day, and he certainly believed he was acting in self-defense when the event occurred. Any time there is a loss of life, it's a real tragedy.”

— Chuck Bretz, Trujillo's defense attorney (Joliet Patch)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns about early parole for violent offenders and the challenges of the criminal justice system in balancing public safety with rehabilitation. Trujillo's release after serving less than half of his original sentence may raise questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the parole system.